Silver Willow Salix babylonica

The weeping willow is a medium to large deciduous landscape tree in the Salicaceae or willow family.  With pendulous, weeping branches, a stout trunk, and a broad rounded crown it makes a statement in any landscape. It will grow quickly to a height of 30 to 40 feet and a width of 30 to 40 feet but with that rapid growth comes weak wood. The pendulous branches sweep down to the ground from the crown of the tree. The leaves are linear, lanceolate, light green on the upper surface, and glaucous or grayish-green beneath. The flowers are male and female green catkins that are about 1 to 2 inches long. They appear on separate male and female trees. This tree is frequently seen near ponds and streams. 

This tree is native to East Asia but has naturalized throughout North Carolina.

The genus name, Salix, is the Latin name for this tree. The epithet, babylonica, means "of Babylon." The tree was given its name by Carl Linnaeus, who mistakenly believed the tree was from ancient Babylon, as was referenced in the Bible by the Psalmist. The tree is thought to have originated in China.

Weeping willow grows best in full sun and prefers acidic moist soil though it will tolerate alkaline soils. This tree will not tolerate cold.  It is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and the last to drop leaves in fall. Pruning to remove heavy branches can help with breakage.

This tree is a larval host plant and attracts specialized bees will being mildly resistant to damage by deer.

Its graceful habit is effective as a specimen at the edges of ponds and lakes or any low spot in the landscape that retains water.  It works well on slopes to prevent erosion. This tree is not typically recommended in the home landscape due to littering, breakage, disease, and insect problems. Its invasive roots can also damage the water or sewage pipes. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring            Foliage: Spring, Summer, Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• medium to a large deciduous tree with grayish-brown or grayish-black bark with furrows
• weeping, pendulous branches, stems are reddish-brown to yellowish-brown
• leaves linear, lanceolate, serrated margins, a light green upper surface, and glaucous on undersides
• flowers are male and female catkins are born on separate trees in the spring
• male catkin is the showiest, with no petals, only stamens, 1 to 2 inches long
• fruit is a dry green to a brown capsule that releases cottony-like seeds, ripens in late May to early June

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Many insects are seen including aphids, scale, borers, lace bugs, and caterpillars.  This tree is susceptible to many diseases including blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and cankers. The wood is weak and cracks or breaks easily. Snow and ice can damage the tree. Tree litter such as leaves, twigs, and branches can be problematic in the home landscape. In residential and commercial sites, the rootlets will invade a crack in a pipe and proliferate, clogging it and backing water up for major repair costs.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Salix.